A new business! I have for a long time spent my energy on tedious jobs such as charcoal work. These jobs have drained my stamina and I am currently weak to be productive. Since I already have a stall where I can start a shop, I am planning to spend utmost $600 of my money to start a shop business within the village. This will soon attract more profit because people have to walk at least 3 kilometers to shop for foodstuff. This will make me relax at home and enjoy my life as I operate my business. The remaining amount will help me to support my children's education, an investment that will lighten up their future. Therefore, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.

With the many challenges that I am currently facing, including the tough economic activities I am doing, it is so clear that getting a smile on my face is very rare. I have been living with the hope that one day, a miracle might happen to lighten my future. It was all a smile when I heard about the arrival of GiveDirectly in our village because I knew my prayers has been answered. What a promising future to be enrolled in this program! I, therefore, consider this as what has recently brought me joy.

I live in a polygamous family where my husband has 2 wives with a total of 11 household members. This has posed a challenge to us since our spouse is jobless and it has forced me to engage in charcoal work to earn money that can sustain the needs of my 3 children. Considering this job, its income is very low say, ($30 per month), it is very hard for me to fully support my children's education. This challenge has already affected my secondborn because despite having good marks for a slot in secondary school, she never joined. What a stressful life as a mother! Hence, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge.